FOXNews.com: FAA delays closure of air traffic control towers

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FAA delays closure of air traffic control towers Apr 5th 2013, 18:30 Published April 05, 2013 FoxNews.com The Federal Aviation Administration, in an abrupt halt to a high-profile sequester cut, announced Friday that it would delay previously planned closures for 149 air traffic control towers at small airports.  The FAA announced that it would delay the implementation until June 15, while it tries to resolve "multiple legal challenges" to the decision.  "This has been a complex process and we need to get this right," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. "Safety is our top priority. We will use this additional time to make sure communities and pilots understand the changes at their local airports."  The FAA indicated that, while it still plans to stop funding the towers in June, some could continue to operate under funding from various airport authorities.  The initial decision in March to shutter the 149 towers was met with criticism from lawmakers whose districts include small airports that would be affected. Some questioned whether the closures could be avoided.  The closure process was set to start this Sunday. But the FAA said Friday that instead of automatically shutting the towers down, the agency will instead cut off funding on June 15 -- "and will close the facilities unless the airports decide to continue operations as a nonfederal contract tower."  While the FAA indicates it will go through with the funding cuts, the decision marks the latest announcement showing the administration reconsidering a sequester cut. Following threats to furlough workers and cut their hours, some agencies have delayed implementing those cuts.

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